Pola Negri

Pola Negri

Chicago Tribune historical photo

Polish actress Pola Negri at the State and Lake Theater, Nov. 23, 1933. She came to the U.S. in the mid-20s following a successful European career. Following a very public display at Rudolph Valentino's funeral, she claimed they were engaged and placed a wreath with her own name atop his casket. Negri continued to mourn very publicly for him, fainting whenever a photographer was present. She fell out of the public's favor. This, combined with a thick accent that didn't work with the 'talkie' films, caused her to return to Europe in 1941.

Polish actress Pola Negri at the State and Lake Theater, Nov. 23, 1933. She came to the U.S. in the mid-20s following a successful European career. Following a very public display at Rudolph Valentino's funeral, she claimed they were engaged and placed a wreath with her own name atop his casket. Negri continued to mourn very publicly for him, fainting whenever a photographer was present. She fell out of the public's favor. This, combined with a thick accent that didn't work with the 'talkie' films, caused her to return to Europe in 1941. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

Polish actress Pola Negri at the State and Lake Theater, Nov. 23, 1933. She came to the U.S. in the mid-20s following a successful European career. Following a very public display at Rudolph Valentino's funeral, she claimed they were engaged and placed a wreath with her own name atop his casket. Negri continued to mourn very publicly for him, fainting whenever a photographer was present. She fell out of the public's favor. This, combined with a thick accent that didn't work with the 'talkie' films, caused her to return to Europe in 1941.